Cold Climate Heat Pump Comparison-"Did You Know?" The ESCO HVAC Show-Episode116

[@0my]

The top discharge in sub zero temps give me concerns because they will likely be covered in snow.

[@rj.parker]

Have to throw in a disclaimer: The ability to produce cold climate heat pump btus at 5f is nice but still requires raising the conditioned space by 60f delta t. Meanwhile cooling that space from 95f to 75f only requires a 20f delta t. Given the enclosure is the same, a typical spec house in the US that requires 33k btus to cool down 20f would require at least 100k btus of heat to raise temps 60f. While cold climate heat pumps may be more efficient than straight electric strips for the 25k btus the heat pump can produce at 5f, there is still a deficit of 75k btus needed to maintain the space. In reality a staged 20kw heat kit or a dual fuel gas/oil system would be added.

[@0my]

Good point. Our home is at high altitude, we keep the thermostat around 55f in the winter, most of the time. I wonder how much BTU is required for a 50f deltaT.

[@CanuckTech]

Can you please post a link to the spreadsheet? Thanks

[@escogroup]

Sure thing. Remember this is only a sample of products that are Cold Climate Certified. The NEEP database is the best starting place. escoinst-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/cbeck_escogroup_org/EVbP3xbrv9hDox66lXnrWnwBohVRcDQh8ggb0Qn1vZ5A4A?e=kXyqz9

[@0my]

It would be interesting to see the power consumption (watts) at each of the temperatures. Are we to assume it's max power consumption to maintain the listed BTU?

[@escogroup]

That is where the extended heating data tables come into play, they show you wattage and other factors at each outdoor temperature. Most of the “over-capacity “ units will not ramp to maximum RPS until below 5degrees.

[@0my]

@escogroup thank you

[@0my]

For heat pumps that are only heating (cold climate) and no AC is needed, I've heard systems charged with CO2 work best. Is that true? Do you know of any products for heating only that would work well at high altitudes, 9000 feet elevation?

[@0my]

Why are electric heat strips even a thing? Why doesn't it (the house) just use conventional n.gas at that low temperature. Or if resistive electric heat is necessary during the coldest days, just use electric base boards.

[@escogroup]

I myself am still an advocate for dual fuel installations to provide ample heating capability at sub zero temperatures in northern climates as well as a secondary heating source. And I agree on the baseboard heat as well, baseboard is slightly more efficient than resistive elements in an air handler due to the energy used to operate the fan-Clifton